Hierarchical mobility

ABSTRACT

Techniques are described herein for signaling procedures that use a hierarchical mobility, which may be applied when a user equipment (UE) is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state or the RRC idle state. A wireless communication system may be configured with a plurality of areas in which one or more networks are established for communicating certain types of signals. Examples of the areas associated with networks may include a tracking area (TA), a radio access network area code (RAN-AC), a radio access network based notification area (RNA). A synchronization signal or a paging signal may be transmitted using a first set of communication resources in a first area, while the synchronization signal or the paging signal may be transmitted using a second set of communication resources in a second area different than the first set of communication resources.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present Application for Patent claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/788,028 by LEE, et al., entitled“HIERARCHICAL MOBILITY,” filed Jan. 3, 2019, assigned to the assigneehereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and morespecifically to hierarchical mobility.

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such asLong Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, orLTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may bereferred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employtechnologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discreteFourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communication system mayinclude a number of base stations or network access nodes, eachsimultaneously supporting communication for multiple communicationdevices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

Some wireless communication systems may use directional beams tocommunicate some information. Because directional beams serve a limitedgeographic coverage area, some signals may be transmitted over multiplebeams in a beam-sweeping pattern. Such beam-sweeping may use morecommunication resources than omnidirectional communications.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices,and apparatuses that support hierarchical mobility. Generally, thedescribed techniques provide for signaling procedures that use ahierarchical mobility, which may be applied when a user equipment (UE)is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state or the RRCidle state, among other cases. A wireless communication system may beconfigured with a plurality of areas in which one or more networks(e.g., a single-frequency network (SFN)) are established forcommunicating certain types of signals. Non-limiting examples of theareas associated with networks may include a tracking area (TA), a radioaccess network area code (RAN-AC), a radio access network basednotification area (RNA). A signal, such as a synchronization signal or apaging signal, may be transmitted using a first set of communicationresources in a first area, while the signal may be transmitted using asecond set of communication resources in a second area different thanthe first set of communication resources.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includeidentifying a radio resource control state of a user equipment from aset of states that includes a radio resource control inactive state anda radio resource control idle state, identifying a network area forcommunicating one or more network synchronization signals or one or morenetwork paging signals associated with the network area based on theradio resource control state of the user equipment, and monitoring, bythe user equipment, for the one or more network synchronization signalsor the one or more network paging signals associated with the networkarea based on identifying the network area.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify aradio resource control state of a user equipment from a set of statesthat includes a radio resource control inactive state and a radioresource control idle state, identify a network area for communicatingone or more network synchronization signals or one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based on the radioresource control state of the user equipment, and monitor, by the userequipment, for the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals associated with the network areabased on identifying the network area.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include means for identifying a radio resource control state of auser equipment from a set of states that includes a radio resourcecontrol inactive state and a radio resource control idle state,identifying a network area for communicating one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals associatedwith the network area based on the radio resource control state of theuser equipment, and monitoring, by the user equipment, for the one ormore network synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableby a processor to identify a radio resource control state of a userequipment from a set of states that includes a radio resource controlinactive state and a radio resource control idle state, identify anetwork area for communicating one or more network synchronizationsignals or one or more network paging signals associated with thenetwork area based on the radio resource control state of the userequipment, and monitor, by the user equipment, for the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, by the userequipment, the one or more network synchronization signals or the one ormore network paging signals associated with the network area based onmonitoring for the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or morecharacteristics common to the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals communicated withinthe network area, where monitoring for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals may bebased on identifying the one or more characteristics common to the oneor more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the network areamay include operations, features, means, or instructions foridentifying, based on the user equipment operating in the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource idle state, a radio accessnetwork area code defined by a network, where the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals may beassociated with the radio access network area code.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the radioresource control state of the user equipment may include operations,features, means, or instructions for identifying that the user equipmentmay be operating in the radio resource control inactive state, whereidentifying the radio access network area code may be based onidentifying that the user equipment may be operating in the radioresource control inactive state.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the network areamay include operations, features, means, or instructions foridentifying, based on the user equipment operating in the radio resourcecontrol inactive state, a radio access network based notification areadefined by the user equipment, where the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals may beassociated with the radio access network based notification area.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the radioresource control state of the user equipment may include operations,features, means, or instructions for identifying that the user equipmentmay be operating in the radio resource control inactive state, whereidentifying the radio access network based notification area may bebased on identifying that the user equipment may be operating in theradio resource control inactive state.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the radio access networkbased notification area includes a set of radio access network areacodes.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the network areamay include operations, features, means, or instructions foridentifying, based on the user equipment operating in the radio resourcecontrol idle state, a tracking area defined by a network, where the oneor more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals may be associated with the tracking area.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the radioresource control state of the user equipment may include operations,features, means, or instructions for identifying that the user equipmentmay be operating in the radio resource control idle state, whereidentifying the tracking area may be based on identifying that the userequipment may be operating in the radio resource control idle state.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a networkpaging message based on monitoring for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsassociated with the network area, and entering a radio resource controlconnected state based on receiving the network paging message.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the radioresource control state further may include operations, features, means,or instructions for entering, by the user equipment, the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource control idle state.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsinclude a single-beam signal communicated over a millimeter wavenetwork.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the network areamay include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifyinga single-frequency network area for communicating the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals, where the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals are associated with thesingle-frequency network area.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includeidentifying a network area associated with a user equipment operating ina radio resource control inactive state or a radio resource control idlestate and transmitting, by a base station, one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals within thenetwork area based on the network area.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify anetwork area associated with a user equipment operating in a radioresource control inactive state or a radio resource control idle stateand transmit, by a base station, one or more network synchronizationsignals or one or more network paging signals within the network areabased on the network area.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include means for identifying a network area associated with a userequipment operating in a radio resource control inactive state or aradio resource control idle state and transmitting, by a base station,one or more network synchronization signals or one or more networkpaging signals within the network area based on the network area.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableby a processor to identify a network area associated with a userequipment operating in a radio resource control inactive state or aradio resource control idle state and transmit, by a base station, oneor more network synchronization signals or one or more network pagingsignals within the network area based on the network area.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying, based onthe network area, communication resources assigned for the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals different than communication resources of neighboring networkareas, where transmitting the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals within the networkarea may be based on identifying the communication resources.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying data to becommunicated with the user equipment operating in the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource control idle state, andidentifying the network area associated with the user equipment andassociated with a radio resource control state of the user equipmentbased on identifying the data, where transmitting the one or morenetwork paging signals may be based on identifying the network areaassociated with the user equipment.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for establishing a radioresource control connection with the user equipment, and identifyingthat the user equipment enters the radio resource control inactive stateor the radio resource control idle state based on establishing the radioresource control connection, where identifying the data to becommunicated with the user equipment may be based on identifying thatthe user equipment enters the radio resource control inactive state orthe radio resource control idle state.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that theuser equipment may be operating in a radio resource control connectedstate based on transmitting the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals within the networkarea, and transmitting the data to be communicated to the user equipmentbased on identifying that the user equipment may be operating in theradio resource control connected state.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indicationof a radio access network based notification area established by theuser equipment, where identifying the network area may be based on theindication of the radio access network based notification area receivedfrom the user equipment.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the user equipment operatesin the radio resource control inactive state, and the network area maybe a radio access network area code defined by a network.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the user equipment operatesin the radio resource control inactive state, and the network area maybe a radio access network based notification area established by theuser equipment.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the user equipment operatesin the radio resource control idle state, and the network area may be atracking area.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsinclude a single-beam signal communicated over a millimeter wavenetwork.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, identifying the network areamay include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifyinga single-frequency network area associated with the user equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for wireless communicationsthat supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a process flow that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show block diagrams of devices that support hierarchicalmobility in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show block diagrams of devices that support hierarchicalmobility in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 15 through 18 show flowcharts illustrating methods that supporthierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wireless communication systems may use directional beamstransmitted in a beam-sweeping pattern to communicate some information.Beam sweeping may be used to account for the limited geographic areacovered by each individual directional beam. Beam-sweeping, however, mayuse more communication resources than omnidirectional communications, insome cases. For example, when a user equipment (UE) is operating in aradio resource control (RRC) inactive state or an RRC idle state, a basestation may transmit one or more signals, such as synchronizationsignals or paging signals, to the UE. Such signaling may use morecommunication resources when done using directional beams andbeam-sweeping.

Techniques are described herein for signaling procedures that use ahierarchical mobility. Procedures that use hierarchical mobility mayreduce the amount of communication resources that are used communicatesome signals, such as synchronization signals or some paging signals,compared to using beam-sweeping procedures or other techniques.Hierarchical mobility may be applied when the UE is operating in one ormore states, for example in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idlestate. In hierarchal mobility, a wireless communication system may beconfigured with a plurality of areas in which one or more networks(e.g., a single-frequency network (SFN)) are established forcommunicating certain types of signals. Examples of the areas that maybe used to establish networks may include a tracking area (TA), a radioaccess network (RAN) area code (RAN-AC), a radio access network basednotification area (RNA). A signal, such as a synchronization signal or apaging signal, may be transmitted using a first set of communicationresources in a first area, while the signal may be transmitted using asecond set of communication resources in a second area that is differentthan (e.g., neighbors) the first area. In this manner, networks may beemployed without interfering with neighboring transmissions.

Aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of a wirelesscommunication systems and a process flow. Aspects of the disclosure arefurther illustrated by and described with reference to apparatusdiagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to hierarchicalmobility. Although some examples are discussed in the context ofsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both, other examples arecontemplated, and the disclosure herein is not limited to theseexamples.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100that supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 includes basestations 105, UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, thewireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE)network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a NewRadio (NR) network. In some cases, wireless communication system 100 maysupport enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., missioncritical) communications, low latency communications, or communicationswith low-cost and low-complexity devices.

Base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with UEs 115 via one ormore base station antennas. Base stations 105 described herein mayinclude or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a basetransceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radiotransceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB orgiga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home NodeB,a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. Wirelesscommunication system 100 may include base stations 105 of differenttypes (e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs 115 describedherein may be able to communicate with various types of base stations105 and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs,relay base stations, and the like.

Each base station 105 may be associated with a particular geographiccoverage area 110 in which communications with various UEs 115 issupported. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage fora respective geographic coverage area 110 via communication links 125,and communication links 125 between a base station 105 and a UE 115 mayutilize one or more carriers. Communication links 125 shown in wirelesscommunication system 100 may include uplink transmissions from a UE 115to a base station 105, or downlink transmissions from a base station 105to a UE 115. Downlink transmissions may also be called forward linktransmissions while uplink transmissions may also be called reverse linktransmissions.

The geographic coverage area 110 for a base station 105 may be dividedinto sectors making up a portion of the geographic coverage area 110,and each sector may be associated with a cell. For example, each basestation 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a smallcell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or various combinationsthereof. In some examples, a base station 105 may be movable andtherefore provide communication coverage for a moving geographiccoverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas110 associated with different technologies may overlap, and overlappinggeographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies maybe supported by the same base station 105 or by different base stations105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, aheterogeneous LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro or NR network in which different typesof base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverageareas 110.

The term “cell” refers to a logical communication entity used forcommunication with a base station 105 (e.g., over a carrier), and may beassociated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells(e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier(VCID)) operating via the same or a different carrier. In some examples,a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may beconfigured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-typecommunication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhancedmobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access fordifferent types of devices. In some cases, the term “cell” may refer toa portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over whichthe logical entity operates.

UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communication system100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also bereferred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, ahandheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitableterminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, astation, a terminal, or a client. A UE 115 may also be a personalelectronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. Insome examples, a UE 115 may also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL)station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything(IoE) device, or an MTC device, or the like, which may be implemented invarious articles such as appliances, vehicles, meters, or the like.

Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or lowcomplexity devices, and may provide for automated communication betweenmachines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2Mcommunication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies thatallow devices to communicate with one another or a base station 105without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTCmay include communications from devices that integrate sensors or metersto measure or capture information and relay that information to acentral server or application program that can make use of theinformation or present the information to humans interacting with theprogram or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collectinformation or enable automated behavior of machines. Examples ofapplications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventorymonitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcaremonitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological eventmonitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing,physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reducepower consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode thatsupports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but nottransmission and reception simultaneously). In some examples,half-duplex communications may be performed at a reduced peak rate.Other power conservation techniques for UEs 115 include entering a powersaving “deep sleep” mode when not engaging in active communications, oroperating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowbandcommunications). In some cases, UEs 115 may be designed to supportcritical functions (e.g., mission critical functions), and a wirelesscommunication system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliablecommunications for these functions.

In some cases, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly withother UEs 115 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device(D2D) protocol). One or more of a group of UEs 115 utilizing D2Dcommunications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of a basestation 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographiccoverage area 110 of a base station 105, or be otherwise unable toreceive transmissions from a base station 105. In some cases, groups ofUEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may utilize a one-to-many(1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in thegroup. In some cases, a base station 105 facilitates the scheduling ofresources for D2D communications. In other cases, D2D communications arecarried out between UEs 115 without the involvement of a base station105.

Base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with oneanother. For example, base stations 105 may interface with the corenetwork 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, orother interface). Base stations 105 may communicate with one anotherover backhaul links 134 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface) eitherdirectly (e.g., directly between base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g.,via core network 130).

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be anevolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobilitymanagement entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and atleast one Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may managenon-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility,authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by basestations 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be transferredthrough the S-GW, which itself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GWmay provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The P-GWmay be connected to the network operators IP services. The operators IPservices may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched (PS) Streaming Service.

At least some of the network devices, such as a base station 105, mayinclude subcomponents such as an access network entity, which may be anexample of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entitymay communicate with UEs 115 through a number of other access networktransmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smartradio head, or a transmission/reception point (TRP). In someconfigurations, various functions of each access network entity or basestation 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g.,radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated into asingle network device (e.g., a base station 105).

Wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or morefrequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known asthe ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band, since thewavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter inlength. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings andenvironmental features. However, the waves may penetrate structuressufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to UEs 115 locatedindoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smallerantennas and shorter range (e.g., less than 100 km) compared totransmission using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the highfrequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrumbelow 300 MHz.

Wireless communication system 100 may also operate in a super highfrequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, alsoknown as the centimeter band. The SHF region includes bands such as the5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands, which may be usedopportunistically by devices that may be capable of toleratinginterference from other users.

Wireless communication system 100 may also operate in an extremely highfrequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz),also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, wirelesscommunication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW)communications between UEs 115 and base stations 105, and EHF antennasof the respective devices may be even smaller and more closely spacedthan UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate use of antennaarrays within a UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissionsmay be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter rangethan SHF or UHF transmissions. Techniques disclosed herein may beemployed across transmissions that use one or more different frequencyregions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions maydiffer by country or regulating body.

In some cases, wireless communication system 100 may utilize bothlicensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example,wireless communication system 100 may employ License Assisted Access(LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technologyin an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz ISM band. When operating inunlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, wireless devices such as basestations 105 and UEs 115 may employ listen-before-talk (LBT) proceduresto ensure a frequency channel is clear before transmitting data. In somecases, operations in unlicensed bands may be based on a carrieraggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriersoperating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations in unlicensedspectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions,peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these. Duplexing inunlicensed spectrum may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD),time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

In some examples, base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped withmultiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such astransmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) communications, or beamforming. For example, wirelesscommunication system 100 may use a transmission scheme between atransmitting device (e.g., a base station 105) and a receiving device(e.g., a UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped withmultiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or moreantennas. MIMO communications may employ multipath signal propagation toincrease the spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiplesignals via different spatial layers, which may be referred to asspatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, betransmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas ordifferent combinations of antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals maybe received by the receiving device via different antennas or differentcombinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referredto as a separate spatial stream, and may carry bits associated with thesame data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams.Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna portsused for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques includesingle-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) where multiple spatial layers are transmittedto the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) wheremultiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering,directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signalprocessing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or areceiving device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115) to shape orsteer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or receive beam) along aspatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device.Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated viaantenna elements of an antenna array such that signals propagating atparticular orientations with respect to an antenna array experienceconstructive interference while others experience destructiveinterference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antennaelements may include a transmitting device or a receiving deviceapplying certain amplitude and phase offsets to signals carried via eachof the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustmentsassociated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by abeamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g.,with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device orreceiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

In one example, a base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antennaarrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communicationswith a UE 115. For instance, some signals (e.g., synchronizationsignals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other controlsignals) may be transmitted by a base station 105 multiple times indifferent directions, which may include a signal being transmittedaccording to different beamforming weight sets associated with differentdirections of transmission. Transmissions in different beam directionsmay be used to identify (e.g., by the base station 105 or a receivingdevice, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for subsequent transmissionor reception by the base station 105.

Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particularreceiving device, may be transmitted by a base station 105 in a singlebeam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device,such as a UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated withtransmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based atleast in in part on a signal that was transmitted in different beamdirections. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signalstransmitted by the base station 105 in different directions, and the UE115 may report to the base station 105 an indication of the signal itreceived with a highest signal quality, or an otherwise acceptablesignal quality. Although these techniques are described with referenceto signals transmitted in one or more directions by a base station 105,a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multipletimes in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam directionfor subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115), or transmittinga signal in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to areceiving device).

A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115, which may be an example of a mmWreceiving device) may try multiple receive beams when receiving varioussignals from the base station 105, such as synchronization signals,reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. Forexample, a receiving device may try multiple receive directions byreceiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing receivedsignals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving accordingto different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals receivedat a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processingreceived signals according to different receive beamforming weight setsapplied to signals received at a plurality of antenna elements of anantenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” accordingto different receive beams or receive directions. In some examples, areceiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a singlebeam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receivebeam may be aligned in a beam direction determined based at least inpart on listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g.,a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highestsignal-to-noise ratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based atleast in part on listening according to multiple beam directions).

In some cases, the antennas of a base station 105 or UE 115 may belocated within one or more antenna arrays, which may support MIMOoperations, or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or morebase station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antennaassembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, antennas or antennaarrays associated with a base station 105 may be located in diversegeographic locations. A base station 105 may have an antenna array witha number of rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115.Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may supportvarious MIMO or beamforming operations.

In some cases, wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-basednetwork that operate according to a layered protocol stack. In the userplane, communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol(PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer mayperform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logicalchannels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priorityhandling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels.The MAC layer may also use hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) toprovide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. Inthe control plane, the RRC protocol layer may provide establishment,configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE 115 anda base station 105 or core network 130 supporting radio bearers for userplane data. At the Physical layer, transport channels may be mapped tophysical channels.

In some cases, UEs 115 and base stations 105 may support retransmissionsof data to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully.HARQ feedback is one technique of increasing the likelihood that data isreceived correctly over a communication link 125. HARQ may include acombination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check(CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g.,automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAClayer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise conditions). Insome cases, a wireless device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, wherethe device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific slot for datareceived in a previous symbol in the slot. In other cases, the devicemay provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot, or according to someother time interval.

Time intervals in LTE or NR may be expressed in multiples of a basictime unit, which may, for example, refer to a sampling period ofTs=1/30,720,000 seconds. Time intervals of a communications resource maybe organized according to radio frames each having a duration of 10milliseconds (ms), where the frame period may be expressed asT_(f)=307,200 Ts. The radio frames may be identified by a system framenumber ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10 subframesnumbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a duration of 1 ms. Asubframe may be further divided into 2 slots each having a duration of0.5 ms, and each slot may contain 6 or 7 modulation symbol periods(e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to eachsymbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period maycontain 2048 sampling periods. In some cases, a subframe may be thesmallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100, andmay be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In othercases, a smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g.,in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) or in selected component carriersusing sTTIs).

In some wireless communication systems, a slot may further be dividedinto multiple mini-slots containing one or more symbols. In someinstances, a symbol of a mini-slot or a mini-slot may be the smallestunit of scheduling. Each symbol may vary in duration depending on thesubcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation, for example. Further,some wireless communication systems may implement slot aggregation inwhich multiple slots or mini-slots are aggregated together and used forcommunication between a UE 115 and a base station 105.

The term “carrier” refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resourceshaving a defined physical layer structure for supporting communicationsover a communication link 125. For example, a carrier of a communicationlink 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band thatis operated according to physical layer channels for a given radioaccess technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data,control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associatedwith a pre-defined frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobiletelecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absoluteradio frequency channel number (EARFCN)), and may be positionedaccording to a channel raster for discovery by UEs 115. Carriers may bedownlink or uplink (e.g., in an FDD mode), or be configured to carrydownlink and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode). In someexamples, signal waveforms transmitted over a carrier may be made up ofmultiple sub-carriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM)techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) ordiscrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)).

The organizational structure of the carriers may be different fordifferent radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR).For example, communications over a carrier may be organized according toTTIs or slots, each of which may include user data as well as controlinformation or signaling to support decoding the user data. A carriermay also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronizationsignals or system information, etc.) and control signaling thatcoordinates operation for the carrier. In some examples (e.g., in acarrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisitionsignaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for othercarriers.

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to varioustechniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel maybe multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM)techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some examples, controlinformation transmitted in a physical control channel may be distributedbetween different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between acommon control region or common search space and one or more UE-specificcontrol regions or UE-specific search spaces).

A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radiofrequency spectrum, and in some examples the carrier bandwidth may bereferred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wirelesscommunication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be oneof a number of predetermined bandwidths for carriers of a particularradio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). Insome examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating overportions or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol typethat is associated with a predefined portion or range (e.g., set ofsubcarriers or RBs) within a carrier (e.g., “in-band” deployment of anarrowband protocol type).

In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist ofone symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and onesubcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inverselyrelated. The number of bits carried by each resource element may dependon the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme).Thus, the more resource elements that a UE 115 receives and the higherthe order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be forthe UE 115. In MIMO systems, a wireless communications resource mayrefer to a combination of a radio frequency spectrum resource, a timeresource, and a spatial resource (e.g., spatial layers), and the use ofmultiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate forcommunications with a UE 115.

Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., base stations105 or UEs 115) may have a hardware configuration that supportscommunications over a particular carrier bandwidth, or may beconfigurable to support communications over one of a set of carrierbandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 mayinclude base stations 105 or UEs 115 that support simultaneouscommunications via carriers associated with more than one differentcarrier bandwidth.

Wireless communication system 100 may support communication with a UE115 on multiple cells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to ascarrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may beconfigured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or moreuplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregationconfiguration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDDcomponent carriers.

In some cases, wireless communication system 100 may utilize enhancedcomponent carriers (eCCs). An eCC may be characterized by one or morefeatures including wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, shortersymbol duration, shorter TTI duration, or modified control channelconfiguration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a carrieraggregation configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g.,when multiple serving cells have a suboptimal or non-ideal backhaullink). An eCC may also be configured for use in unlicensed spectrum orshared spectrum (e.g., where more than one operator is allowed to usethe spectrum). An eCC characterized by wide carrier bandwidth mayinclude one or more segments that may be utilized by UEs 115 that arenot capable of monitoring the whole carrier bandwidth or are otherwiseconfigured to use a limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

In some cases, an eCC may utilize a different symbol duration than othercomponent carriers, which may include use of a reduced symbol durationas compared with symbol durations of the other component carriers. Ashorter symbol duration may be associated with increased spacing betweenadjacent subcarriers. A device, such as a UE 115 or base station 105,utilizing eCCs may transmit wideband signals (e.g., according tofrequency channel or carrier bandwidths of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) atreduced symbol durations (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in eCC mayconsist of one or multiple symbol periods. In some cases, the TTIduration (that is, the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may bevariable.

Wireless communication system 100 may be an NR system that may utilizeany combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands,among others. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrierspacing may allow for the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In someexamples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization andspectral efficiency, specifically through dynamic vertical (e.g., acrossthe frequency domain) and horizontal (e.g., across the time domain)sharing of resources.

Techniques are described herein for signaling procedures that use ahierarchical mobility, which may be applied when a UE 115 is operatingin the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state. The wirelesscommunication system 100 may be configured with a plurality of areas inwhich one or more networks are established for communicating certaintypes of signals. Examples of the types of signals that may becommunicated using a network associated with an area are synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both. Examples of the areas associatedwith networks may include a TA, a RAN-AC, or an RNA. In some examples,the network may be an SFN associated with an SFN area. A synchronizationsignal or a paging signal may be transmitted using a first set ofcommunication resources in a first area, while the synchronizationsignal or the paging signal may be transmitted using a second set ofcommunication resources in a second area different than the first set ofcommunication resources.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 200that supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system200 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. Thewireless communication system 200 may include one or more base stations105-a and one or more UEs 115-a. The base stations 105-a may be examplesof the base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1. In someexamples, base station 105-a may be referred to as a network device or anext generation NodeB (gNB). The UE 115-a may be an example of the UEs115 described with reference to FIG. 1.

The wireless communication system 200 may illustrate operations of andcommunications between the base stations 105-a and the UEs 115-a thatsupport hierarchal mobility. A UE 115-a may be configured to operate ina plurality of different RRC states. The UE 115-a may be in a single RRCstate selected from a set of RRC states at a given time. Examples of theRRC states of the UE 115-a may include an RRC connected state, an RRCinactive state, and an RRC idle state. The RRC idle state may be usedfor initial access to a network or to reduce power consumption of theUE. The RRC connected state may be used for active data transfer in thenetwork. In some examples, the UE 115-a may operate in the RRC inactivestate to reduce power consumption. The RRC inactive state or the RRCidle state may be associated with a discontinuous reception (DRX) stateof UE 115-a, which may be configured by a protocol layer (e.g., RRClayer). In some examples, UE 115-a may perform updates in an RNA whenoperating in the RRC inactive state. Additionally or alternatively, UE115-a may perform updates when UE 115-a moves outside the RNA in the RRCinactive state.

UE 115-a may transition between RRC states via one or more procedures.For example, the UE 115-a may use an establish procedure to transitionfrom the RRC idle to the RRC connected state. In other examples, the UE115-a may use a release procedure to transition from the RRC connectedor RRC inactive state or from the RRC connected state to the RRC idlestate. In other examples, the UE 115-a may use a release with suspendprocedure to transition from the RRC connected state to the RRCinactive. In other examples, the UE 115-a may use a resume procedure totransition from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state.

When the UE 115-a is operating in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idlestate, the UE 115-a may monitor for a variety of different signals tomaintain the communication link with the network. For example, the UE115-a may monitor for synchronization signals (SSs) or for pagingsignals. The UE 115-a may monitor for monitor for synchronizationsignals (e.g., primary synchronization signal or secondarysynchronization signal) to obtain or maintain the cell identity or toobtain or maintain the frame timing, among other things. The UE 115-amay monitor for paging signals from the network when in a DRX mode(e.g., RRC idle state or RRC inactive state) that indicate the network(e.g., the base station 105-a) includes information waiting to becommunicated to the UE 115-a. For example, the base station 105-a mayreceive an incoming call or incoming data that is addressed to the UE115-a. The base station 105-a may transmit a paging to the UE 115-abased on receiving the incoming call or data.

The wireless communication system 200 may be configured to usemillimeter-wave (mmW) spectrum to communicate data between the basestation 105-a and the UE 115-a. Communications sent over mmW spectrummay be transmitted using directional beams formed using beamformingtechniques. Such directional beams may have limited spatial coverage. Insome cases, network may transmit some signals using beam sweeping toaddress issues that arise from the limited spatial coverage ofdirectional beams in the mmW spectrum. Transmitting some signals bybeam-sweeping directional beams may use increase the amount ofcommunication resources used to communicate such signals. For example,the network may transmit synchronization signals or paging signalstransmitted via one or more beam sweeps. In such examples, the UE 115-amay monitor for SSs or paging signals that have been transmitted usingmultiple directional beams 215 via a multi-beam monitoring procedure. Insome cases, UE 115-a may monitor for paging over the RNA based on UE115-a having the RRC inactive state. In some cases, UE 115-a may monitorpaging over a TA 220 based on UE 115-a being in the RRC idle state. Insome examples, the TA may include one or more RNAs.

The network (e.g., base station 105-a) may transmit a SS block (SSB) oran SSB set in mmW spectrum using a beam-sweeping procedure. The SSB orthe SSB set may include one or more of a primary SS (PSS), a secondarySS (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The SSB set mayinclude a number of SSBs, where the number of SSBs that can be used maybe based on a frequency spectrum, or a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of thefrequency spectrum, or both. In some examples, the SCS may be 15kilohertz (kHz) or 30 kHz. In some examples, the UE 115-a may monitorfor the SSB or SSB set during a 20 millisecond (ms) period or the UE115-a may monitor for the SSB set in a frequency spectrum below 3gigahertz (GHz) or in a frequency spectrum between 3 GHz and 6 GHz. UE115-a may monitor for one or more mapping options in the 30 kHz SCSbased on a band of the frequency spectrum.

In some cases, when UE 115-a monitors for the SSB set in the frequencyspectrum below three (3) GHz, a first four (4) SSBs of the SSB set maybe used. In some examples, when the SCS is 15 kHz, UE 115-a may monitorfor the SSB set in a first two (2) ms of the 20 ms time period. In someexamples, when the SCS is 30 kHz, UE 115-a may monitor for the SSB setin a first one (1) ms of the 20 ms time period.

In some cases, when UE 115-a monitors for the SSB set in the frequencyspectrum between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, a first eight (8) SSBs of the SSB setmay be used. In some examples, when the SCS is 15 kHz, UE 115-a maymonitor for the SSB set in a first four (4) ms of the 20 ms time period.In some examples, when the SCS is 30 kHz, UE 115-a may monitor for theSSB set in a first two (2) ms of the 20 ms time period.

Transmitting directional beams using a beam-sweeping pattern ormonitoring for such signals may use more communication resourcescompared to a single beam procedure (e.g., in the sub-6 GHz frequencyspectrum band). In some examples, monitoring for a multi-beam SSB or SSBset may require the UE 115-a to perform additional processing or alonger radio frequency (RF) ON time compared to monitoring for asingle-beam SSB or SSB set. Additionally or alternatively, themulti-beam monitoring procedure may be associated with multi-beampaging, which may lead to other signaling inefficiencies.

Techniques are described herein for signaling procedures that use ahierarchical mobility. Procedures that use hierarchical mobility mayreduce the amount of signaling and resources used to communicatesynchronization signals or paging signals when the UE 115-a is operatingin the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state. In hierarchal mobility,the wireless communication system 200 may be configured with a pluralityof areas (e.g., a TA, a RAN-AC, or an RNA) in which one or more networksare established for certain types of signals. A synchronization signalor a paging signal may be transmitted using a first set of communicationresources in a first area, while the synchronization signal or thepaging signal may be transmitted using a second set of communicationresources in a second area that neighbors the first area. In thismanner, networks may be employed without interfering with neighboringtransmissions.

In some cases, the network may be associated with a network area, whichmay correspond to one or more of a cell 210, an RNA, a RAN-AC 205, or aTA 220, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the network area maybe an SFN area. The network may be associated with one or more networkSSs or with one or more network paging signals. UE 115-a may monitor forthe one or more network SSs or the one or more network paging signalswhile in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. The communicationresources used to communicate the one or more network SSs or the one ormore network paging signals may be associated with a cell 210, an RNA, aRAN-AC 205, or a TA 220, or a combination thereof. The RAN-AC may beassociated with one or more cells 210.

UE 115-a may operate according to the hierarchical mobility in one ormore frequency spectrum bands. In some examples, UE 115-a may operateaccording to the hierarchical mobility in frequency spectrums associatedwith frequency spectrum bands below 6 GHz. Additionally oralternatively, UE 115-a may operate according to the hierarchicalmobility in frequency spectrum bands 6 GHz and above (e.g., mmWspectrum). In some examples, the one or more network SSs or the one ormore network paging signals may be communicated using a single-beamsignal communicated over the mmW network.

To facilitate hierarchical mobility, the coverage area of the networkmay be divided into one or more zones. The UE 115-a may identify the oneor more zones. In some examples, each zone of the one or more zones maycorrespond to an update area. In some examples, the zone used in thehierarchical mobility may be based on the RRC state in which the UE115-a is operating. In some examples, when the UE 115-a is operating inthe RRC idle state the one or more zones may correspond to one or moreTAs 220 or one or more RAN-ACs 205. Additionally or alternatively, whenthe UE 115-a is operating in the RRC inactive state, the UE 115-a mayidentify that the one or more zones correspond to one or more RNAs orone or more RAN-ACs 205. Each zone of the one or more zones may includeone or more RAN-ACs. Each RAN-AC of the one or more RAN-ACs may includeone or more cells 210. The network may define the one or more RAN-ACsfor used for the UEs 115-a.

In some cases, UE 115-a may identify an RNA associated with UE 115-abased on signaling from a base station 105-a. In some examples, the RNAmay include one or more cells 210. Each cell 210 may be associated witha cell identity and a RAN-AC. UE 115-a may receive a system informationblock (SIB) identifying the cell identity. Additionally oralternatively, the RNA may include one or more RAN-ACs 205, which inturn may include one or more cells 210.

In some cases, the network or UE 115-a may define the RNA. In someexamples, the network may define RNA over one or more TAs 220. In someexamples, the network may define the RNA based on information receivedfrom the UE 115-a. In some examples, the network may define a boundaryof the RNA corresponding to UE 115-a based on identifying a mobility ofUE 115-a (e.g., a speed with which the UE 115-a moves through thecoverage area of the base station 105-a or network). The boundary of theRNA corresponding to a first UE may be different than a boundary ofanother RNA corresponding to a second UE. In some examples, UE 115-a maymove relatively fast through the coverage area and thus may have a highmobility. In other examples, UE 115-a move relatively slow through thecoverage area and thus may have a low mobility.

In some examples, the RNA may include one or more RAN-ACs 205. Thenetwork may identify one or more network areas associated with UE 115-a,where a network area corresponds to a TA 220, a RAN-AC 205, or an RNA.In some examples, the one or more network areas may include one or moreSFN areas. UE 115-a may monitor for network SSs based on the networkarea associated with UE 115-a.

In some examples, RNA may include one or more RAN-ACs 205 or one or morecells 210. In such examples, the network area may correspond to RNA. TheUE 115-a may monitor for network SSs based on the RNA associated with UE115-a. In some cases, the network may transmit network SSs based on theboundary of RNA corresponding to one or more UEs 115.

The network may include a network paging controller. The network pagingcontroller may be configured to synchronize network paging transmissionfor each of the one or more network areas (e.g., TA 220, RAN-AC 205, orthe RNA).

In some examples, UE 115-a may monitor idle paging from a core network130 and for inactive paging from a base station 105-a while in the RRCinactive state. Idle paging may correspond to paging signals associatedwith core network paging. Inactive paging may correspond to pagingsignals associated with RAN paging. The network may lose a context of UE115-a due to a failure or malfunction and perform idle paging for UE115-a in the RRC inactive state. In some examples, UE 115-a may monitorfor the idle paging and the inactive paging on a single physicalchannel. UE 115-a may distinguish the idle paging and the inactivepaging based on an identifier included in a paging message.

UE 115-a may receive network paging signals, which may include the idlepaging or the inactive paging. In some examples, the network pagingsignals may include paging from core network 130 or paging from a RANassociated with UE 115-a. The network paging may include an indicationwhether the paging is received from core network 130 or from the RANassociated with UE 115-a.

UE 115-a may perform a random access channel (RACH) procedure in thehierarchical mobility. UE 115-a may acquire a serving cell 210 toperform the RACH procedure. UE 115-a may perform the RACH procedurebased on the RAN-AC associated with UE 115-a.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 300that supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system300 may implement aspects of wireless communications systems 100 and200. The wireless communication system 300 may include one or more basestations 105-b and one or more UEs 115-b. The base stations 105-b may beexamples of the base stations 105 described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. The UE 115-b may be an example of the UEs 115 described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The wireless communication system 300 may illustrate hierarchicalmobility procedures where the communication resources used tocommunicate network signals 310 (e.g., synchronization signals, orpaging signals, or both) are defined on the basis of RAN-AC 305. Whenthe UE 115-b is operating in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idlestate, the UE 115-b may be configured to monitor for synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both transmitted by the base station105-b. In the wireless communication system 300, a network used tocommunicate these signals may be defined for each RAN-AC. In some cases,the networks defined for the RAN-ACs may be configured such thatneighboring RAN-ACs may not use the same communication resources as partof their networks. In the examples of the wireless communication system300 the network area associated with a network may be a RAN-AC 305.

In some wireless communication systems, multi-beam synchronizationsignals or multi-beam paging signals or both may be transmitted over awide area to reach an intended UE 115-b. In the wireless communicationsystem 300, which uses hierarchical mobility, networks may be used totransmit the multi-beam synchronization signals or the multi-beam pagingsignals or both. The networks, however, may be defined on aRAN-AC-by-RAN-AC basis. In this manner, the amount of communicationresources used to communicate synchronization signals or paging signals,among other examples, between the base station 105-b and the UE 115-bmay be reduced.

The network may identify communication resources (e.g., frequency-basedresources or time-based resources) of a network used for communicatingsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both in a network area(e.g., RAN-AC 305, an SFN area, etc.). In the wireless communicationsystem 300, the network area may be a RAN-AC 305. In some examples,different communication resources may be used to communicatesynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both in neighboringRAN-ACs 305 (e.g., network areas, SFN areas, etc.). In such examples,RAN-ACs 305 (e.g., network areas, SFN areas, etc.) near each other mayuse different communication resources so they do not interfere with oneanother.

The network may transmit an indication of the network areas or thecommunication resources to the UE 115-b. In some cases, the base station105-b may transmit an RRC message that includes the indication. Theindication may include a listing of RAN-ACs associated with the UE115-b, identifiers for the RAN-ACs associated with the UE 115-b, thecommunication resources to be used in each RAN-AC 305 to transmitsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both, or a combinationthereof. In some cases, the allocation of resources to each RAN-AC 305(e.g., network area, SFN area, etc.) may be done dynamically by thenetwork based on network conditions in a location. In other cases, theallocation of resources to each RAN-AC 305 (e.g., network area, SFNarea, etc.) may be done a static basis or a semi-static basis. Forexample, the communication resources assigned to a RAN-AC 305 may beidentifiable based on the identifier of the RAN-AC 305.

The UE 115-b may identify the RAN-AC 305 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.) in which it is operating. The UE 115-b may also identify thecommunication resources (e.g., frequency resources) allocated to theidentified RAN-AC 305 for communicating synchronization signals, orpaging signals, or both. The UE 115-b may monitor for synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both based on the RAN-AC 305 (e.g.,network area, SFN area, etc.) in which it is operating and based on thecommunication resources associated with that RAN-AC 305 (e.g., networkarea, SFN area, etc.).

When the UE 115-b moves from a first RAN-AC 305 to a second RAN-AC 305,the UE 115-b may perform procedures to monitor a second set ofcommunication resources for synchronization signals, or paging signals,or both in the second RAN-AC 305. The second set of communicationresources may be different than the first set of communication resourcesused with the first RAN-AC 305. In some cases, the UE 115-b may identifythe communication resources based on the identifiers for the RAN-ACs305.

The RAN-AC 305 may be used as the network area in hierarchical mobilitywhen the UE 115-b is operating in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idlestate. The UE 115-b may identify that it is operating in the RRCinactive state or the RRC idle state before monitoring for thesynchronization signals or the paging signals or both.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 400that supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system400 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. Thewireless communication system 400 may include one or more base stations105-c and one or more UEs 115-c. The base stations 105-c may be examplesof the base stations 105 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. TheUE 115-c may be an example of the UEs 115 described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The wireless communication system 400 may illustrate hierarchicalmobility procedures where the communication resources used tocommunicate network signals 410 (e.g., synchronization signals, orpaging signals, or both) are defined on the basis of RNA 415. When theUE 115-c is operating in the RRC inactive state, the UE 115-c may beconfigured to monitor for synchronization signals, or paging signals, orboth (among other signals) transmitted by the base station 105-c. In thewireless communication system 400, a network used to communicate thesesignals may be defined for each RNA 415. In some cases, the networksdefined for the RNA 415 may be configured such that neighboring RNAs(e.g., first RNA 415-a and second RNA 415-b) may not use the samecommunication resources as part of their networks. In the examples ofthe wireless communication system 400 the network area associated with anetwork may be an RNA 415. An RNA 415 may include one or more RAN-ACs405. For example, the first RNA 415-a may include at least a firstRAN-AC 405-a and a second RAN-AC 405-b, and the second RNA 415-b mayinclude a single RAN-AC, a third RAN-AC 405-c.

In some wireless communication systems, multi-beam synchronizationsignals, or multi-beam paging signals, or both may be transmitted over awide area to reach an intended UE 115-c. In the wireless communicationsystem 400, which uses hierarchical mobility, networks may be used totransmit the multi-beam synchronization signals or the multi-beam pagingsignals or both. The networks, however, may be defined on an RNA-by-RNAbasis. In this manner, the amount of communication resources used tocommunicate synchronization signals or paging signals between the basestation 105-c and the UE 115-c may be reduced.

The network may identify communication resources (e.g., frequency-basedresources or time-based resources) of a network used for communicatingsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both in a network area(e.g., RNA 415, an SFN area, etc.). In the wireless communication system400, the network area may be an RNA 415. In some examples, differentcommunication resources may be used to communicate synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both in neighboring RNAs 415 (e.g.,network areas, SFN areas, etc.). In such examples, RNA 415 (e.g.,network areas, SFN areas, etc.) near each other may use differentcommunication resources so they do not interfere with one another. Insome cases, the UE 115-c may assist the network in defining the RNA 415to be used while the UE 115-c is in the RRC inactive state. For example,if the UE 115-c is traveling at a high-rate of speed, the RNA 415 may beconfigured as larger than if the UE 115-c is traveling at a lower-rateof speed.

The network may transmit an indication of the network areas or thecommunication resources to the UE 115-c. In some cases, the base station105-c may transmit an RRC message that includes the indication. Theindication may include an identifier of the RNA 415, a listing ofRAN-ACs associated with the UE 115-c or associated with the RNA 415,identifiers for the RAN-ACs associated with the UE 115-c, thecommunication resources to be used in each RAN-AC 405 to transmitsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both, or a combinationthereof. In some cases, the allocation of resources to each RNA 415(e.g., network area, SFN area, etc.) may be done dynamically by thenetwork based on network conditions in a location. In other cases, theallocation of resources to each RNA 415 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.) may be done a static basis or a semi-static basis. For example,the communication resources assigned to an RNA 415 may be identifiablebased on the identifier of the RNA 415.

The UE 115-c may identify the RNA 415 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.) in which it is operating. The UE 115-c may also identify thecommunication resources (e.g., frequency resources) allocated to theidentified RNA 415 for communicating synchronization signals, or pagingsignals, or both. The UE 115-c may monitor for synchronization signals,or paging signals, or both based on the RNA 415 (e.g., network area, SFNarea, etc.) in which it is operating and based on the communicationresources associated with that RNA 415 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.).

When the UE 115-c moves from a first RNA 415-a to a second RNA 415-b,the UE 115-c may perform procedures to monitor a second set ofcommunication resources for synchronization signals, or paging signals,or both in the second RNA 415-b. The second set of communicationresources may be different than the first set of communication resourcesused with the first RNA 415-a. In some cases, the UE 115-c may identifythe communication resources based on the identifiers for the RNAs 415.

The RNA 415 may be used as the network area in hierarchical mobilitywhen the UE 115-c is operating in the RRC inactive state. The UE 115-cmay identify that it is operating in the RRC inactive state beforemonitoring for the synchronization signals or the paging signals orboth.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 500that supports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system500 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. Thewireless communication system 500 may include one or more base stations105-d and one or more UEs 115-d. The base stations 105-d may be examplesof the base stations 105 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. TheUE 115-d may be an example of the UEs 115 described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The wireless communication system 500 illustrates two differentconfigurations. In a first TA 505-a, multi-beam signaling forsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both is shown. In asecond TA 505-b, network signaling for synchronization signals, orpaging signals, or both is shown.

The wireless communication system 500 may illustrate hierarchicalmobility procedures where the communication resources used tocommunicate network signals 510 (e.g., synchronization signals, orpaging signals, or both) are defined on the basis of a TA 505. When theUE 115-d is operating in the RRC idle state, the UE 115-d may beconfigured to monitor for synchronization signals, or paging signals, orboth transmitted by the base station 105-d. In the wirelesscommunication system 500, a network used to communicate these signalsmay be defined for each TA 505. In some cases, the networks defined forthe TA 505 may be configured such that neighboring TA 505 may not usethe same communication resources as part of their networks. In theexamples of the wireless communication system 500 the network areaassociated with a network may be a TA 505. A TA 505 may include one ormore RNAs, one or more RAN-ACs, or one or more cells.

In the first TA 505-a, multi-beam synchronization signals or multi-beampaging signals or both may be transmitted over a wide area to reach anintended UE 115-d. For example, a base station 105-d may transmit asingle paging message using a plurality of beams (e.g., beams 515-a,515-b, 515-c, or 515-d) in a beam-sweeping pattern. In the wirelesscommunication system 500, which uses hierarchical mobility, networks maybe used to transmit the multi-beam synchronization signals or themulti-beam paging signals or both. The networks, however, may be definedon a TA-by-TA basis. In this manner, the amount of communicationresources used to communicate synchronization signals or paging signalsbetween the base station 105-d and the UE 115-d may be reduced.

The network may identify communication resources (e.g., frequency-basedresources or time-based resources) of a network used for communicatingsynchronization signals, or paging signals, or both in a network area(e.g., TA 505, an SFN area, etc.). In the wireless communication system400, the network area may be an TA 505. In some examples, differentcommunication resources may be used to communicate synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both in neighboring TAs 505 (e.g.,network areas, SFN areas, etc.). In such examples, TAs 505 (e.g.,network areas, SFN areas, etc.) near each other may use differentcommunication resources so they do not interfere with one another.

The network may transmit an indication of the network areas or thecommunication resources to the UE 115-d. In some cases, the base station105-d may transmit an RRC message that includes the indication. Theindication may include an identifier of the TA 505, a listing of RAN-ACsassociated with the UE 115-d or associated with the TA 505, identifiersfor the RAN-ACs associated with the UE 115-d, the communicationresources to be used in each RAN-AC 405 to transmit synchronizationsignals, or paging signals, or both, or a combination thereof. In somecases, the allocation of resources to each TA 505 (e.g., network area,SFN area, etc.) may be done dynamically by the network based on networkconditions in a location. In other cases, the allocation of resources toeach TA 505 (e.g., network area) may be done a static basis or asemi-static basis. For example, the communication resources assigned toan TA 505 may be identifiable based on the identifier of the TA 505.

The UE 115-d may identify the TA 505 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.) in which it is operating. The UE 115-d may also identify thecommunication resources (e.g., frequency resources) allocated to theidentified TA 505 for communicating synchronization signals, or pagingsignals, or both. The UE 115-d may monitor for synchronization signals,or paging signals, or both based on the TA 505 (e.g., network area, SFNarea, etc.) in which it is operating and based on the communicationresources associated with that TA 505 (e.g., network area, SFN area,etc.).

When the UE 115-d moves from a first TA 505 to a second TA 505, the UE115-d may perform procedures to monitor a second set of communicationresources for synchronization signals, or paging signals, or both in thesecond TA 505. The second set of communication resources may bedifferent than the first set of communication resources used with thefirst TA 505. In some cases, the UE 115-d may identify the communicationresources based on the identifiers for the TA 505.

The TA 505 may be used as the network area in hierarchical mobility whenthe UE 115-d is operating in the RRC inactive state. The UE 115-d mayidentify that it is operating in the RRC inactive state beforemonitoring for the synchronization signals or the paging signals orboth.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a process flow 600 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. In some examples, the process flow 600 may implement aspectsof wireless communication system 100. The process flow 600 illustratesfunctions of communications between a base station 105-e and a UE 115-e.The base station 105-e may be examples of the base stations 105described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5. The UE 115-e may be anexample of the UEs 115 described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5.

At 605, UE 115-e may identify an RRC state of UE 115-e from a set ofstates that include the RRC inactive state, the RRC idle state, and theRRC connected state. In some examples, UE 115-e may identify that UE115-e is operating in the RRC inactive state. In some examples, UE 115-emay identify that UE 115-e is operating in the RRC idle state. In someexamples, the UE 115-e may enter one of the RRC states and identifyingthe state may be based on the entering the RRC state. Said another way,the UE 115-c may identify its RRC state at a transition of RRC states.

At 610, UE 115-e may identify a network area for communicating one ormore network SSs or one or more network paging signals associated withthe network area based on the RRC state of UE 115-e. In some examples,identifying the network area may include identifying an SFN area forcommunicating the one or more network SSs or the one or more networkpaging signals. In some examples, the one or more network SSs or the oneor more network paging signals may be associated with the SFN area. Insome examples, UE 115-e may identify, based on UE 115-e operating in theRRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, a RAN-AC defined by thenetwork as the network area. In some examples, the one or more networkSSs or the one or more network paging signals may be associated with theRAN-AC. In some examples, UE 115-e may identify, based on UE 115-eoperating in the RRC inactive state, an RNA defined by UE 115-e as thenetwork area. In some examples, the one or more network SSs or the oneor more network paging signals may be associated with the RNA. In someexamples, the RNA may include a plurality of RAN-ACs. In some examples,UE 115-e may identify, based on UE 115-e operation in the RRC idlestate, a TA defined by the network as the network area. In someexamples, the one or more network SSs or the one or more network pagingsignals may be associated with the TA. In some examples, the one or morenetwork SSs or the one or more network paging signals may include asingle-beam signal communicated over a mmW network.

At 615, base station 105-e (e.g., a network device) may identify thenetwork area associated with UE 115-e operating in the RRC inactive orthe RRC idle state. In some examples, base station 105-e may establishan RRC connection with UE 115-e. In some examples, base station 105-emay identify that UE 115-e enters the RRC inactive state or the RRC idlestate or the RRC connected state based on signaling exchanged as part ofthe RRC connection.

At 620, in some examples, base station 105-e may identify data to becommunicated with UE 115-e. The base station 105-e may identify the datato be communicated with UE 115-e based on identifying that UE 115-eenters the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state. In some examples,base station 105-e may identify the network area based on receiving anindication of the RNA established by the UE. In some examples, basestation 105-e may identify, based on the network area, communicationresources assigned for the one or more network SSs or the one or morenetwork paging signals different than communication resources ofneighboring network areas.

At 625, UE 115-e may monitor for the one or more network SSs or the oneor more network paging signals associated with the network area based onidentifying the network area. In some examples, UE 115-e may monitor forthe one or more network SSs or the one or more network paging signalsbased on identifying one or more characteristics common to the one ormore network SSs or the one or more network paging signals.

At 630, base station 105-e may transmit, based on the network area, theone or more network SSs or the one or more network paging signals withinthe network area. In some examples, base station 105-e may transmit theone or more network SSs or the one or more network paging signals basedon identifying the communication resources. In some examples, UE 115-emay receive the one or more network SSs or the one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based on monitoring forthe one or more network SSs or the one or more network paging signals.In some examples, UE 115-e may receive a network paging message based onmonitoring for the one or more network SSs or the one or more networkpaging signals, and UE 115-e may enter an RRC connected state based onreceiving the network paging message. Base station 105-e may identifythat UE 115-e is operating in the RRC connected state based ontransmitting the one or more network SSs or the one or more networkpaging signals within the network area, and transmit the data to becommunicated to UE 115-e.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 asdescribed herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, acommunications manager 715, and a transmitter 720. The device 705 mayalso include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 710 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to hierarchicalmobility, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of thedevice 705. The receiver 710 may be an example of aspects of thetransceiver 1020 described with reference to FIG. 10. The receiver 710may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 715 may identify a radio resource controlstate of a user equipment from a set of states that includes a radioresource control inactive state and a radio resource control idle state,identify a network area for communicating one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals associatedwith the network area based on the radio resource control state of theuser equipment, and monitor, by the user equipment, for the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

The communications manager 715 as described herein may be implemented torealize one or more potential advantages. One implementation may allowthe device 705 to reduce paging inefficiencies and power consumption andincrease battery life by communicating with a base station 105 (as shownin FIG. 1) more efficiently. For example, the device 705 may monitornetwork synchronization and paging signals while operating in an RRCinactive state or RRC idle state to save power and reduce processingtime. The communications manager 715 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1010 described herein.

The communications manager 715, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 715, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed in the present disclosure.

The communications manager 715, or its sub-components, may be physicallylocated at various positions, including being distributed such thatportions of functions are implemented at different physical locations byone or more physical components. In some examples, the communicationsmanager 715, or its sub-components, may be a separate and distinctcomponent in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.In some examples, the communications manager 715, or its sub-components,may be combined with one or more other hardware components, includingbut not limited to an input/output (I/O) component, a transceiver, anetwork server, another computing device, one or more other componentsdescribed in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 720 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 705. In some examples, the transmitter 720 may becollocated with a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 720 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 1020described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 720 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a device 705,or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver810, a communications manager 815, and a transmitter 835. The device 805may also include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to hierarchicalmobility, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of thedevice 805. The receiver 810 may be an example of aspects of thetransceiver 1020 described with reference to FIG. 10. The receiver 810may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 815 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 715 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 815 may include an RRC state manager 820, a network area manager825, and a monitoring manager 830. The communications manager 815 may bean example of aspects of the communications manager 1010 describedherein.

The RRC state manager 820 may identify a radio resource control state ofa user equipment from a set of states that includes a radio resourcecontrol inactive state and a radio resource control idle state.

The network area manager 825 may identify a network area forcommunicating one or more network synchronization signals or one or morenetwork paging signals associated with the network area based on theradio resource control state of the user equipment.

The monitoring manager 830 may monitor, by the user equipment, for theone or more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

The transmitter 835 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 805. In some examples, the transmitter 835 may becollocated with a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 835 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 1020described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 835 may utilize asingle antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a communications manager 905 thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The communications manager 905 may be an example of aspectsof a communications manager 715, a communications manager 815, or acommunications manager 1010 described herein. The communications manager905 may include an RRC state manager 910, a network area manager 915, amonitoring manager 920, a network signal manager 925, a resource manager930, a RAN-AC manager 935, an RNA manager 940, and a TA manager 945.Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with oneanother (e.g., via one or more buses).

The RRC state manager 910 may identify a radio resource control state ofa user equipment from a set of states that includes a radio resourcecontrol inactive state and a radio resource control idle state. In someexamples, the RRC state manager 910 may enter a radio resource controlconnected state based on receiving the network paging message. In someexamples, the RRC state manager 910 may enter, by the user equipment,the radio resource control inactive state or the radio resource controlidle state.

The network area manager 915 may identify a network area forcommunicating one or more network synchronization signals or one or morenetwork paging signals associated with the network area based on theradio resource control state of the user equipment. In some cases,identifying the network area may include identifying an SFN area forcommunicating the one or more network synchronization signals or the oneor more network paging signals, where the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals may beassociated with the SFN area.

The monitoring manager 920 may monitor, by the user equipment, for theone or more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

The network signal manager 925 may receive, by the user equipment, theone or more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based on monitoring forthe one or more network synchronization signals or the one or morenetwork paging signals. In some examples, the network signal manager 925may receive a network paging message based on monitoring for the one ormore network synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area. In some cases, the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals include a single-beam signal communicated over a millimeter wavenetwork.

The resource manager 930 may identify one or more characteristics commonto the one or more network synchronization signals or the one or morenetwork paging signals communicated within the network area, wheremonitoring for the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals is based on identifying the one ormore characteristics common to the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals.

The RAN-AC manager 935 may identify, based on the user equipmentoperating in the radio resource control inactive state or the radioresource idle state, a radio access network area code defined by anetwork, where the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals are associated with the radio accessnetwork area code. In some examples, the RAN-AC manager 935 may identifythat the user equipment is operating in the radio resource controlinactive state, where identifying the radio access network area code isbased on identifying that the user equipment is operating in the radioresource control inactive state.

The RNA manager 940 may identify, based on the user equipment operatingin the radio resource control inactive state, a radio access networkbased notification area defined by the user equipment, where the one ormore network synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals are associated with the radio access network based notificationarea. In some examples, the RNA manager 940 may identify that the userequipment is operating in the radio resource control inactive state,where identifying the radio access network based notification area isbased on identifying that the user equipment is operating in the radioresource control inactive state. In some cases, the radio access networkbased notification area includes a set of radio access network areacodes.

The TA manager 945 may identify, based on the user equipment operatingin the radio resource control idle state, a tracking area defined by anetwork, where the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals are associated with the trackingarea. In some examples, the TA manager 945 may identify that the userequipment is operating in the radio resource control idle state, whereidentifying the tracking area is based on identifying that the userequipment is operating in the radio resource control idle state.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of or include thecomponents of device 705, device 805, or a UE 115 as described herein.The device 1005 may include components for bi-directional voice and datacommunications including components for transmitting and receivingcommunications, including a communications manager 1010, an I/Ocontroller 1015, a transceiver 1020, an antenna 1025, memory 1030, and aprocessor 1040. These components may be in electronic communication viaone or more buses (e.g., bus 1045).

The communications manager 1010 may identify a radio resource controlstate of a user equipment from a set of states that includes a radioresource control inactive state and a radio resource control idle state,identify a network area for communicating one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals associatedwith the network area based on the radio resource control state of theuser equipment, and monitor, by the user equipment, for the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on identifying thenetwork area.

The I/O controller 1015 may manage input and output signals for thedevice 1005. The I/O controller 1015 may also manage peripherals notintegrated into the device 1005. In some cases, the I/O controller 1015may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral.In some cases, the I/O controller 1015 may utilize an operating systemsuch as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, oranother known operating system. In other cases, the I/O controller 1015may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, atouchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 1015may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user mayinteract with the device 1005 via the I/O controller 1015 or viahardware components controlled by the I/O controller 1015.

The transceiver 1020 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 1020 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1020 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1025.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 1025,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 1030 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-onlymemory (ROM). The memory 1030 may store computer-readable,computer-executable code 1035 including instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to perform various functions describedherein. In some cases, the memory 1030 may contain, among other things,a basic input/output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware orsoftware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components ordevices.

The processor 1040 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), amicrocontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, adiscrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardwarecomponent, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor1040 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memorycontroller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated intothe processor 1040. The processor 1040 may be configured to executecomputer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory1030) to cause the device 1005 to perform various functions (e.g.,functions or tasks supporting hierarchical mobility).

The processor 1040 of the device 1005 (e.g., controlling the receiver710, the transmitter 720, or the transceiver 1020) may reduce powerconsumption and increase communication efficiency based on monitoringsynchronization signals. In some examples, the processor 1040 of device1005 may execute the instructions stored in the memory 1030 and causethe device 1005 to efficiently communicate with a base station 105 byreducing processing time, paging inefficiencies, and power consumptionbased on monitoring synchronization and paging signals while operatingin an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state. The improvements in powersaving and data processing efficiency may further increase battery lifeat the device 1005.

The code 1035 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1035 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1035 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1040 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of a basestation 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver1110, a communications manager 1115, and a transmitter 1120. The device1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 1110 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to hierarchicalmobility, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of thedevice 1105. The receiver 1110 may be an example of aspects of thetransceiver 1420 described with reference to FIG. 14. The receiver 1110may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 1115 may identify a network area associatedwith a user equipment operating in a radio resource control inactivestate or a radio resource control idle state and transmit one or morenetwork synchronization signals or one or more network paging signalswithin the network area based on the network area.

The communications manager 1115 as described herein may be implementedto realize one or more potential advantages. One implementation mayallow device 1105 to save power by communicating with a UE 115 (as shownin FIG. 1) more efficiently. For example, the device 1105 may reducepaging overhead time based on the network synchronization signals. Thecommunications manager 1115 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1410 described herein.

The communications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1115, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, anASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described in the presentdisclosure.

The communications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may bephysically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations by one or more physical components. In some examples, thecommunications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may be a separateand distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. In some examples, the communications manager 1115, or itssub-components, may be combined with one or more other hardwarecomponents, including but not limited to an input/output (I/O)component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device,one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or acombination thereof in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The transmitter 1120 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1105. In some examples, the transmitter 1120 may becollocated with a receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1120 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1420 described with reference to FIG. 14. The transmitter 1120 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of a device1105, or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1205 mayinclude a receiver 1210, a communications manager 1215, and atransmitter 1230. The device 1205 may also include a processor. Each ofthese components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via oneor more buses).

The receiver 1210 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to hierarchicalmobility, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of thedevice 1205. The receiver 1210 may be an example of aspects of thetransceiver 1420 described with reference to FIG. 14. The receiver 1210may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

The communications manager 1215 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1115 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 1215 may include a network area manager 1220 and a networksignal manager 1225. The communications manager 1215 may be an exampleof aspects of the communications manager 1410 described herein.

The network area manager 1220 may identify a network area associatedwith a user equipment operating in a radio resource control inactivestate or a radio resource control idle state.

The network signal manager 1225 may transmit, by a base station, one ormore network synchronization signals or one or more network pagingsignals within the network area based on the network area.

The transmitter 1230 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1205. In some examples, the transmitter 1230 may becollocated with a receiver 1210 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1230 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1420 described with reference to FIG. 14. The transmitter 1230 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of a communications manager 1305 thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The communications manager 1305 may be an example of aspectsof a communications manager 1115, a communications manager 1215, or acommunications manager 1410 described herein. The communications manager1305 may include a network area manager 1310, a network signal manager1315, a resource manager 1320, a data manager 1325, an RRC state manager1330, and an RNA manager 1335. Each of these modules may communicate,directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The network area manager 1310 may identify a network area associatedwith a user equipment operating in a radio resource control inactivestate or a radio resource control idle state. In some examples, thenetwork area manager 1310 may identify the network area associated withthe user equipment and associated with a radio resource control state ofthe user equipment based on identifying the data, where transmitting theone or more network paging signals is based on identifying the networkarea associated with the user equipment. In some cases, identifying thenetwork area may include identifying an SFN area associated with theuser equipment.

In some cases, the network area is a radio access network area codedefined by a network. In some cases, the network area is a radio accessnetwork based notification area established by the user equipment. Insome cases, the network area is a tracking area.

The network signal manager 1315 may transmit, by a base station, one ormore network synchronization signals or one or more network pagingsignals within the network area based on the network area. In somecases, the one or more network synchronization signals or the one ormore network paging signals include a single-beam signal communicatedover a millimeter wave network.

The resource manager 1320 may identify, based on the network area,communication resources assigned for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsdifferent than communication resources of neighboring network areas,where transmitting the one or more network synchronization signals orthe one or more network paging signals within the network area is basedon identifying the communication resources.

The data manager 1325 may identify data to be communicated with the userequipment operating in the radio resource control inactive state or theradio resource control idle state. In some examples, the data manager1325 may transmit the data to be communicated to the user equipmentbased on identifying that the user equipment is operating in the radioresource control connected state.

The RRC state manager 1330 may establish a radio resource controlconnection with the user equipment. In some examples, the RRC statemanager 1330 may identify that the user equipment enters the radioresource control inactive state or the radio resource control idle statebased on establishing the radio resource control connection, whereidentifying the data to be communicated with the user equipment is basedon identifying that the user equipment enters the radio resource controlinactive state or the radio resource control idle state.

In some examples, the RRC state manager 1330 may identify that the userequipment is operating in a radio resource control connected state basedon transmitting the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals within the network area. In somecases, the user equipment operates in the radio resource controlinactive state. In some cases, the user equipment operates in the radioresource control idle state.

The RNA manager 1335 may receive an indication of a radio access networkbased notification area established by the user equipment, whereidentifying the network area is based on the indication of the radioaccess network based notification area received from the user equipment.

FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 thatsupports hierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The device 1405 may be an example of or include thecomponents of device 1105, device 1205, or a base station 105 asdescribed herein. The device 1405 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including a communicationsmanager 1410, a network communications manager 1415, a transceiver 1420,an antenna 1425, memory 1430, a processor 1440, and an inter-stationcommunications manager 1445. These components may be in electroniccommunication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1450).

The communications manager 1410 may identify a network area associatedwith a user equipment operating in a radio resource control inactivestate or a radio resource control idle state and transmit, by a basestation, one or more network synchronization signals or one or morenetwork paging signals within the network area based on the networkarea.

The network communications manager 1415 may manage communications withthe core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). Forexample, the network communications manager 1415 may manage the transferof data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

The transceiver 1420 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 1420 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1420 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1425.However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna 1425,which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The memory 1430 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Thememory 1430 may store computer-readable code 1435 including instructionsthat, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor 1440) cause thedevice to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, thememory 1430 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may controlbasic hardware or software operation such as the interaction withperipheral components or devices.

The processor 1440 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some cases, the processor 1440 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In some cases, a memory controller maybe integrated into processor 1440. The processor 1440 may be configuredto execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., thememory 1430) to cause the device 1405 to perform various functions(e.g., functions or tasks supporting hierarchical mobility).

The inter-station communications manager 1445 may manage communicationswith other base station 105, and may include a controller or schedulerfor controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with otherbase stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager1445 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for variousinterference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or jointtransmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager1445 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wirelesscommunication network technology to provide communication between basestations 105.

The code 1435 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1435 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1435 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1440 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The operations of method 1500 may be implemented by a UE 115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 1500 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 through 10. In some examples, a UE may executea set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE toperform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, aUE may perform aspects of the functions described herein usingspecial-purpose hardware.

At 1505, the UE may identify a radio resource control state of the UEfrom a set of states that includes a radio resource control inactivestate and a radio resource control idle state. The operations of 1505may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by an RRCstate manager as described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

At 1510, the UE may identify a network area for communicating one ormore network synchronization signals or one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on the radio resourcecontrol state of the UE. The operations of 1510 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1510 may be performed by a network area manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

At 1515, the UE may monitor for the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals associated with thenetwork area based on identifying the network area. The operations of1515 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by amonitoring manager as described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The operations of method 1600 may be implemented by a UE 115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 1600 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 through 10. In some examples, a UE may executea set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE toperform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, aUE may perform aspects of the functions described herein usingspecial-purpose hardware.

At 1605, the UE may identify a radio resource control state of the UEfrom a set of states that includes a radio resource control inactivestate and a radio resource control idle state. The operations of 1605may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by an RRCstate manager as described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

At 1610, the UE may identify a network area for communicating one ormore network synchronization signals or one or more network pagingsignals associated with the network area based on the radio resourcecontrol state of the UE. The operations of 1610 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1610 may be performed by a network area manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

At 1615, the UE may identify, based on operating in the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource idle state, a radio accessnetwork area code defined by a network, where the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals areassociated with the radio access network area code. The operations of1615 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a RAN-ACmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

At 1620, the UE may monitor for the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals associated with thenetwork area based on identifying the network area. The operations of1620 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by amonitoring manager as described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The operations of method 1700 may be implemented by a basestation 105 or its components as described herein. For example, theoperations of method 1700 may be performed by a communications manageras described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14. In some examples, abase station may execute a set of instructions to control the functionalelements of the base station to perform the functions described herein.Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1705, the base station may identify a network area associated with aUE operating in a radio resource control inactive state or a radioresource control idle state. The operations of 1705 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1705 may be performed by a network area manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 1710, the base station may transmit one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals within thenetwork area based on the network area. The operations of 1710 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a network signalmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 that supportshierarchical mobility in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure. The operations of method 1800 may be implemented by a basestation 105 or its components as described herein. For example, theoperations of method 1800 may be performed by a communications manageras described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14. In some examples, abase station may execute a set of instructions to control the functionalelements of the base station to perform the functions described herein.Additionally or alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1805, the base station may identify a network area associated with aUE operating in a radio resource control inactive state or a radioresource control idle state. The operations of 1805 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 1805 may be performed by a network area manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 1810, the base station may identify, based on the network area,communication resources assigned for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsdifferent than communication resources of neighboring network areas,where transmitting the one or more network synchronization signals orthe one or more network paging signals within the network area is basedon identifying the communication resources. The operations of 1810 maybe performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by aresource manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 1815, the base station may transmit one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals within thenetwork area based on the network area. The operations of 1815 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by a network signalmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possibleimplementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearrangedor otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunication systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA), timedivision multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), singlecarrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000,Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000,IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases may be commonly referredto as CDMA2000 1×, 1×, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to asCDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includesWideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system mayimplement a radio technology such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM).

An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), E-UTRA, Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20,Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are releasesof UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR,and GSM are described in documents from the organization named “3rdGeneration Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are describedin documents from an organization named “3rd Generation PartnershipProject 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for thesystems and radio technologies mentioned herein as well as other systemsand radio technologies. While aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NRsystem may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-APro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, thetechniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro,or NR applications.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEswith service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell maybe associated with a lower-powered base station, as compared with amacro cell, and a small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g.,licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cellsmay include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according tovarious examples. A pico cell, for example, may cover a small geographicarea and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptionswith the network provider. A femto cell may also cover a smallgeographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access by UEshaving an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closedsubscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). An eNBfor a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a smallcell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, ora home eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four,and the like) cells, and may also support communications using one ormultiple component carriers.

The wireless communication systems described herein may supportsynchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, thebase stations may have similar frame timing, and transmissions fromdifferent base stations may be approximately aligned in time. Forasynchronous operation, the base stations may have different frametiming, and transmissions from different base stations may not bealigned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for eithersynchronous or asynchronous operations.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the description may be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices(e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiplemicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described herein can be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media mayinclude RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flashmemory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items(e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or“one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, alist of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BCor ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “basedon” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions.For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on conditionA” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, asused herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manneras the phrase “based at least in part on.”

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label, or othersubsequent reference label.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the describedexamples.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is notlimited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to beaccorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:identifying a radio resource control state of a user equipment from aset of states that includes a radio resource control inactive state anda radio resource control idle state; identifying a network area forcommunicating one or more network synchronization signals or one or morenetwork paging signals associated with the network area based at leastin part on the radio resource control state of the user equipment; andmonitoring, by the user equipment, for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsassociated with the network area based at least in part on identifyingthe network area.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the user equipment, the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsassociated with the network area based at least in part on monitoringfor the one or more network synchronization signals or the one or morenetwork paging signals.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying one or more characteristics common to the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals communicated within the network area, wherein monitoring for theone or more network synchronization signals or the one or more networkpaging signals is based at least in part on identifying the one or morecharacteristics common to the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying the network area comprises: identifying,based at least in part on the user equipment operating in the radioresource control inactive state or the radio resource idle state, aradio access network area code defined by a network, wherein the one ormore network synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals are associated with the radio access network area code.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein identifying the radio resource control stateof the user equipment comprises: identifying that the user equipment isoperating in the radio resource control inactive state, whereinidentifying the radio access network area code is based at least in parton identifying that the user equipment is operating in the radioresource control inactive state.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinidentifying the network area comprises: identifying, based at least inpart on the user equipment operating in the radio resource controlinactive state, a radio access network based notification area definedby the user equipment, wherein the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals are associated withthe radio access network based notification area.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein identifying the radio resource control state of the userequipment comprises: identifying that the user equipment is operating inthe radio resource control inactive state, wherein identifying the radioaccess network based notification area is based at least in part onidentifying that the user equipment is operating in the radio resourcecontrol inactive state.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the radioaccess network based notification area comprises a plurality of radioaccess network area codes.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein identifyingthe network area comprises: identifying, based at least in part on theuser equipment operating in the radio resource control idle state, atracking area defined by a network, wherein the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals areassociated with the tracking area.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinidentifying the radio resource control state of the user equipmentcomprises: identifying that the user equipment is operating in the radioresource control idle state, wherein identifying the tracking area isbased at least in part on identifying that the user equipment isoperating in the radio resource control idle state.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving a network paging message based atleast in part on monitoring for the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals associated with thenetwork area; and entering a radio resource control connected statebased at least in part on receiving the network paging message.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein identifying the radio resource control statefurther comprises: entering, by the user equipment, the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource control idle state.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals comprise a single-beamsignal communicated over a millimeter wave network.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying the network area comprises: identifying asingle-frequency network area for communicating the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals,wherein the one or more network synchronization signals or the one ormore network paging signals are associated with the single-frequencynetwork area.
 15. A method for wireless communication, comprising:identifying a network area associated with a user equipment operating ina radio resource control inactive state or a radio resource control idlestate; and transmitting, by a base station, one or more networksynchronization signals or one or more network paging signals within thenetwork area based at least in part on the network area.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: identifying, based at least in part onthe network area, communication resources assigned for the one or morenetwork synchronization signals or the one or more network pagingsignals different than communication resources of neighboring networkareas, wherein transmitting the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals within the networkarea is based at least in part on identifying the communicationresources.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: identifyingdata to be communicated with the user equipment operating in the radioresource control inactive state or the radio resource control idlestate; and identifying the network area associated with the userequipment and associated with a radio resource control state of the userequipment based at least in part on identifying the data, whereintransmitting the one or more network paging signals is based at least inpart on identifying the network area associated with the user equipment.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: establishing a radioresource control connection with the user equipment; and identifyingthat the user equipment enters the radio resource control inactive stateor the radio resource control idle state based at least in part onestablishing the radio resource control connection, wherein identifyingthe data to be communicated with the user equipment is based at least inpart on identifying that the user equipment enters the radio resourcecontrol inactive state or the radio resource control idle state.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: identifying that the userequipment is operating in a radio resource control connected state basedat least in part on transmitting the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals within the networkarea; and transmitting the data to be communicated to the user equipmentbased at least in part on identifying that the user equipment isoperating in the radio resource control connected state.
 20. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: receiving an indication of a radioaccess network based notification area established by the userequipment, wherein identifying the network area is based at least inpart on the indication of the radio access network based notificationarea received from the user equipment.
 21. The method of claim 15,wherein: the user equipment operates in the radio resource controlinactive state; and the network area is a radio access network area codedefined by a network.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein: the userequipment operates in the radio resource control inactive state; and thenetwork area is a radio access network based notification areaestablished by the user equipment.
 23. The method of claim 15, wherein:the user equipment operates in the radio resource control idle state;and the network area is a tracking area.
 24. The method of claim 15,wherein the one or more network synchronization signals or the one ormore network paging signals comprise a single-beam signal communicatedover a millimeter wave network.
 25. The method of claim 15, whereinidentifying the network area comprises: identifying a single-frequencynetwork area associated with the user equipment.
 26. An apparatus forwireless communication, comprising: a processor, memory in electroniccommunication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memoryand executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify aradio resource control state of a user equipment from a set of statesthat includes a radio resource control inactive state and a radioresource control idle state; identify a network area for communicatingone or more network synchronization signals or one or more networkpaging signals associated with the network area based at least in parton the radio resource control state of the user equipment; and monitor,by the user equipment, for the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals associated with thenetwork area based at least in part on identifying the network area. 27.The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive, by theuser equipment, the one or more network synchronization signals or theone or more network paging signals associated with the network areabased at least in part on monitoring for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals. 28.The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify one ormore characteristics common to the one or more network synchronizationsignals or the one or more network paging signals communicated withinthe network area, wherein monitoring for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signals isbased at least in part on identifying the one or more characteristicscommon to the one or more network synchronization signals or the one ormore network paging signals.
 29. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising: a processor, memory in electroniccommunication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memoryand executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify anetwork area associated with a user equipment operating in a radioresource control inactive state or a radio resource control idle state;and transmit, by a base station, one or more network synchronizationsignals or one or more network paging signals within the network areabased at least in part on the network area.
 30. The apparatus of claim29, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor tocause the apparatus to: identify, based at least in part on the networkarea, communication resources assigned for the one or more networksynchronization signals or the one or more network paging signalsdifferent than communication resources of neighboring network areas,wherein transmitting the one or more network synchronization signals orthe one or more network paging signals within the network area is basedat least in part on identifying the communication resources.